Human Resources & Personnel Management Flashcards

What does Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) require of federal agencies as employers?

Answer: Agencies must ensure employment decisions are free from discrimination based on protected characteristics

EEO requires federal agencies to make all employment decisions — hiring, promotion, discipline, and termination — without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.

What is a 'Schedule A' hiring authority in federal employment?

Answer: An excepted service authority that allows agencies to hire persons with disabilities without competition

Schedule A (5 CFR 213.3102(u)) is an excepted service authority enabling agencies to hire qualified individuals with severe physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disabilities without using the traditional competitive process.

What is the key difference between 'competitive service' and 'excepted service' positions in the federal government?

Answer: Competitive service requires open, competitive hiring through OPM rules, while excepted service positions are filled under separate, agency-specific authorities

Competitive service positions are filled through merit-based open competition governed by OPM regulations, while excepted service positions are exempt from those competitive procedures and use alternative hiring authorities.

Under what circumstances can a federal agency place an employee on administrative leave?

Answer: When an investigation or inquiry is pending and the employee's presence may pose a risk or interfere with the investigation

Administrative leave is typically used when keeping an employee in the workplace could pose a risk to persons or property or could interfere with an ongoing investigation, pending resolution of a disciplinary matter.

What is the purpose of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA)?

Answer: To provide workers' compensation benefits to federal employees who are injured on the job or develop occupational diseases

FECA provides federal employees with workers' compensation coverage, including medical treatment, wage replacement, and disability benefits for injuries and diseases sustained in the performance of official duties.

What does the term 'dual compensation' refer to in the context of federal employment?

Answer: The combination of a federal civilian salary and military retired pay, which may be subject to pay limitations

Dual compensation refers to situations where a reemployed military retiree receives both a federal civilian salary and military retired pay, which is subject to statutory limitations under dual compensation laws.

What is the primary function of a position description (PD) in civil service HR management?

Answer: To document the duties, responsibilities, and qualification requirements of a specific position for classification and staffing purposes

A position description is an official document that defines the major duties, responsibilities, supervisory relationships, and qualification requirements of a position, used for classification, recruitment, and performance management.